Royal news live: Prince Harry award backlash continues as the Middletons appear at Wimbledon
Harry has been defended for his ‘incredible’ work with the Invictus Games
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Prince Harry has been defended as a petition calling for a “rethink” on the decision to give him an award for veterans has surpassed 63,000 signatures.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, is set to receive the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the Invictus Games, which celebrates the sporting achievements of wounded, sick and injured service people.
But tens of thousands of people, including the late Tillman’s mother, Mary, believe there are more deserving recipients.
Now the sporting network behind the award, ESPN, has defended its decision, hailing the “incredible” work of the games.
“While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating,” a spokesperson told Sky News.
Meanwhile, Kate Middleton’s parents Michael and Carole made their second public outing since the announcement of her cancer diagnosis at Wimbledon yesterday (4 July).
The couple appeared in the Royal Box, which has the tournament’s best view of Centre Court.
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Prince Harry defended as petition against the prince reaches 50,000 signatures
Prince Harry defended as petition reaches 50,000 signatures
Prince Harry has been defended after a petition calling on sports network ESPN to “rethink” its decision to give him an award for veterans reached 50,000 signatures.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, is set to receive the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the Invictus Games.
It is given to veterans with a “strong connection to sports” who have served their country in a similar way to Tillman, who gave up his football career to join the forces in the wake of 9/11.
“ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honouring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans around the world,” ESPN said in a statement to Sky News.
“While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.”
Harry and Meghan ‘trying to buy public’s respect'
A royal expert has claimed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are “trying to buy the public’s respect”.
The claim comes after Prince Harry recently came under fire for his upcoming receipt of the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the Invictus Games.
Royal expert Kinsey Schofield told Talk TV: “I see Prince Harry and Meghan Markle accepting more trophies for awards that I don’t understand what they’re for, than this life of service that they promised us. How many awards did Meghan accept for her podcast that was cancelled and slammed by her own network?
“This is all a game to them [Harry and Meghan]. I guess they’re trying to buy the public’s respect, they’re trying to buy good PR through networking and creating these opportunities to collect trophies for their mantle, but I think the public sees through these individuals.”
Schofield’s comments echo those behind a petition urging ESPN to “rethink” its decision to give Harry the Tillman Award for his work with the Invictus Games.
They wrote: “His role in the Invictus games, a platform meant to celebrate the resilience and dedication of veterans, has been criticised as self-centered.”
Pat Tillman’s mother, Mary, also slammed the decision and claimed there were more deserving recipients of the award for veterans.
Meghan Markle’s father opens up about ‘very sad’ situation
Meghan Markle’s estranged father has shared his thoughts on a “very sad” situation regarding his two grandchildren.
Thomas Markle, who has never met Prince Archie or Princess Lilibet, said he believes they are being denied the right to get to know their cousins, the Wales children.
He has also called into question Meghan and Harry’s decision to remain on seemingly frosty terms with the wider royal family, resulting in their absence from events like Trooping the Colour.
“It struck me as very sad that Meghan and Harry’s kids are being denied the right to know their cousins, who look like fantastic children, or take part in things like Trooping the Colour, which is their birthright,” he told New Zealand Woman’s Weekly.
Petition to stop Prince Harry receiving award signed by over 40,000 people
A petition urging organisers to “rethink” their decision to give Prince Harry an award for his work with the Invictus Games has now had over 40,000 signatures.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, is set to receive the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the games, which celebrates the sporting achievements of wounded, sick or injured service people.
However, those favouring the petition believe that Prince Harry is not a suitable recipient.
The Change.org petition reads: “Prince Harry, while a former military officer, has been involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honour of this magnitude.
“He has faced accusations of endangering his squadron by publicly revealing military kills.
It then references a story in Harry’s 2023 memoir, Spare, in which he wrote that he used a Typhoon to target his father’s car during training.
It adds: “More recently, his role in the Invictus Games, a platform meant to celebrate the resilience and dedication of veterans, has been criticised as self-centered.”
William and Kate offered new royal home
The Prince and Princess of Wales have reportedly been offered the chance to move to a new royal residence.
While the couple currently live at the nearby Adelaide Cottage, which has four bedrooms, it has been claimed that King Charles has offered them the Royal Lodge.
The Grade II listed seven-bedroom property is Prince Andrew’s longstanding home, which King Charles has reportedly asked him to leave.
Royal expert Gareth Russell said that giving the Wales family the important royal property is the “logical choice”.
“The logical choice, of course, would be the Prince and Princess of Wales, but they’ve shown relatively little interest in moving home again,” Russell said. “They seem quite content where they are.”
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